Spurs fan tells of terror in Rome: 'They came out of nowhere, then I was stabbed'

A Tottenham Hotspur fan told today of the terrifying moment he was attacked and stabbed by a mob of masked hooligans at a tourist bar in Rome.

Ashley Mills, 25, who had travelled to see his team play Lazio, was knifed in a groin artery and suffered head injuries after thugs launched a suspected racist attack on English supporters. Speaking from his hospital bed today, Mr Mills said: “They came out of nowhere. I didn’t see the guy who stabbed me. There were too many of them.”

He spoke out as politicians and Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas urged Uefa to take action against Lazio if their fans are found guilty of anti-Semitic chanting during the match. The Italian fans chanted “Juden Tottenham”, using the German word for Jew, and unveiled a banner reading “Free Palestine” during the first half of the goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Mr Mills, a builder from Essex, had been drinking with a group of Spurs fans early yesterday at the Drunken Ship pub in Rome’s picturesque Campo de Fiori piazza.

Shortly after 1am a mob of up to 50 assailants armed with sticks, iron bars and paving stones launched a frenzied assault on drinkers.

The attack has been blamed on Lazio’s notorious Ultras, a group of hard-core, Right-wing fanatics. The club denies its fans were involved. Last night two supporters from city rivals Roma were arrested in connection with the violence.

Mr Mills, who grew up in Tottenham, travelled to the Europa League game with his 30-year-old brother Bradley, an interior designer, who was in the bar and was also injured.

He said both were taken by surprise, adding: “There was a good atmosphere in the bar. Everyone from back home was having a few drinks. We were having fun. And then the atmosphere changed really quickly. I was standing outside drinking and the next thing I knew there were loads of them. It happened very quickly, I don’t remember much.

“I remember being pulled out, along the ground, after I had been stabbed. I was scared at the time.”

Mr Mills suffered head wounds and a knife wound to the top of his right thigh which severed an artery, causing profuse bleeding.

His life was saved by Alberto di Giovanni, 19, a law student, who had recently done a first aid course.

The Spurs fan said the next thing he remembered was waking up in Rome’s San Camillo Hospital, where he underwent surgery yesterday.

He said: “The groin pain can be intense. I may have been stabbed there more than once. The doctors have looked after me really well.”

The trip was his first to see Spurs play abroad. “I am a lifetime fan and I have never seen trouble before,” he said. “I would not have come if I’d known this was going to happen.”

He added that he was determined to travel abroad again to see his team. “It’s a one-off and now I want to get out of here as soon as possible and put this behind me,” he said.

His father Raymond, speaking at the family home in Brentwood, said he was planning to fly out to visit his son today. He added: “I’ve been told Ashley is in a stable condition. He’s such a brilliant lad, everyone likes him.” Uefa is expected to decide whether to launch an investigation today when the match delegate’s report is received.

Shadow Minister for Sport Clive Efford said clubs should be banned from European competition if their fans were found guilty of racism.

He said: “Uefa has been too willing to look the other way over racism. The time has come where they have to say, ‘We will not tolerate this’.”

The Spurs manager said: “It will take another investigation. It happened last time and it was acted upon quickly by Uefa. We will have to wait and see if there is anything to act upon. If there is, Uefa has to act.”

Spurs reserve goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, an Italian who was at Lazio in 1996-97, said Italian football should follow the example set by the English game if the hooligan element is to be eradicated. He added: “I remember when I was playing in Italy, we were looking at England as a very dangerous place to go and so I find it quite strange that now it’s the opposite.”

Fans returning from the game today described a “horrible” atmosphere at the ground and in the city.

Speaking at Gatwick after flying in from Rome this morning, Tim Kyte, 54, a fire officer from Bexleyheath, said: “We felt in fear all the time.”

Police officer Ian Kyte, 48, said : “It just felt violent, like there could be trouble any minute.”

Bank worker Craig Seabourne, 22, from Croydon, said : “I had no bother during the day but the atmosphere during the game was horrible. Police were attacking us”